Disclaimer

The contents of this website are ours personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps. For more information on volunteer opportunities with the Peace Corps, please visit http://www.peacecorps.gov/.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Staging in Atlanta

We're now official "trainees" and have met the 35 other volunteers in our group. So far my first impressions are very positive. We have a very diverse, accomplished, self-confident group. Best of all, there are 3 other "older" couples besides ourselves, so we're not alone in that regard. There's also 3 other "returnees", so again, we'll have much in common. Also, there's several more other older single volunteers - one of whom went to Northwestern Univ. just 4 yrs. after Mike and was in the same frat. - Fiji. Small world. Peace Corps put us up in a Wyndham hotel - quite luxurious by peace corps standards. So, we've had our "lasts" - last night in a kingsized bed, last hot shower, last Mexican dinner, last night in airconditioning, etc. etc. Still, we're so excited and ready so see what Swaziland will bring. love to all of you back home. Gail & Mike June 26, 2010

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

 
we didn't want to forget our son Troy
Here we are in Kitty Hawk.
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Monday, June 21, 2010


We traveled to Washington D.C. with Kevin & Ellen and met Mary, John, Dana & Brian for a farewell weekend. Unfortunately, Troy could not make it, but we had a great time & will store this memory as we count down the days to departure.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Departure date: June 25

Dear friends,
The long goodbye is almost over. It's been a fabulous time connecting with friends and families near & far - sharing our story & hearing updates on theirs. The sister trip to Sarasota was great, but it sure was hard to say goodbye to my mom and sister, Helen. I'll have to say, we've eaten out more times these past few months than we have in the past few years, but what a memory bank we now have to take with us to Swaziland. Our "last" Sunday at Bethel church was especially meaningful. Bethel has truly become our church family, and to have the entire congregation cover us in prayer will sustain us during our absence. The Dubuc's had a lovely party to wish us, and other Bethelites who are departing for new ventures, a fond farewell.
I hope we can host such gatherings in our new home, to share the warmth and love we've received from all of you.
Thank you, thank you, current Swazi peace corps volunteers. Your YouTube videos and packing lists have been invaluable. Somehow it's a lot harder to pack this time around, but we feel pretty confident that we're bringing mostly the right stuff. Hopefully, we'll certainly be able to "make do" with whatever we forget. 80 lbs. in 2 suitcases actually is quite a lot for 1 person to bring. We're anxious to meet all of you, esp. the ones we've been bothering with packing questions.
This weekend we travel to Wash D.C. to gather with almost all of our children (Troy couldn't get off work) to be together one last time. Until then, here's hoping we get our last minute things done.. Gail & Mike